Shovel-handle



'(NoiodeL) W. H. JOHNSON.

SHOVEL HANDLE. I Patented Jim. 12, 1897-. I

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UNITED STATES ATENT 0 FFicE.

XVILLIAM HOLMAN JOHNSON, OF VEEDERSBURG, INDIANA.

SHOVEL-HANDLE.

SPEGIFIGATION'forming part of Letters Patent No. 575,243, dated January 12, 1897.

Application filed April 6,1896. $e1'ial No. 586,383. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM HOLMAN JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Veedersburg, in the county of Fountain and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shovel- Handles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in handles and has particular relation to sho velhandles.

It consists of the combination of a shank, handle-pieces on each side thereof, means connecting said handle-pieces and said shank and bracing the same laterally, and a grippiece between the outer free ends of said handle-pieces.

It also consists of the combination of a shank having a slotted upper end, handlepieces on each side of the same and having slotted ends, a brace projecting through the slot in the shank and the slots in the handlepieces, and a grip-piece between the outer free ends of said handle-pieces.

It also consists of certain other novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, all of which will be hereinafter more particularly set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 represents adetail side elevation of a handle embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a central vertical section through the same. Fig. 3 represents a horizontal section of said devices over the line a; w of Fig. 2. Fig. drepresents a top plan view of said handle, and Fig. 5 represents a central vertical section through a modified form of my handle.

A in the drawings represents the shank; B, the handle -pieces'; 0, the grip; D, the bracing-plate, and E the bracing-pins.

The shank A, instead of being enlarged at its upper end to form the body portion of the handle, is made approximately rectangular and of about the same diameter as the ordinary rounded portion and is provided at its upper end with a vertical central slot at, which extends from the top downward. The

handle-pieces B are also each provided with vertical central slots 1), extending from the bottom upward. These slots, when the said handle-pieces are placed against the shank, correspond in position with the slot in the shank, so that the plate D can be slipped into said grooves and riveted into position by rivets d, which pass laterally through the shank-plate and handle-pieces, respectively. This plate D is preferably made of steel, but can be made of wood or any other stiffening and strengthening material. The inner sides of the free ends of the handle-pieces are rounded laterally, as shown at h, Fig. 4, and made slightly concave vertically, as shown at 12 Fig. 2.

The hand-grip G is approximately cylindrical, but tapers slightly toward each end, said ends being grooved vertically, as shown at c, Fig. 4, and said grooves having slightly convex bottoms, as shown at c, Fig. 2. The grooves c are adapted to fit about the rounded portions Z) and the convex portions 0' into the concave portions b and the whole bound together by a bolt or rivet 0 which passes longitudinally through said grip. Anytendency of the grip to turn simply results in the tightening of the. parts, as such an action forces the handle-pieces apart against the tensile restraint of the bolt or rivet c As shown in Fig. 5, I have dispensed with the plate D and grooves a b and have bound the side pieces and the shank together by lateral bolts, rivets, or braces E. These are preferably made of steel, but may be made of any other suitable material.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a handle the combination of a shank, handle-pieces attached thereto, and a handgrip having grooved ends and so mounted between the free ends of the said handlepieces as to wedge and tighten upon the same upon being turned one way or the other out of its normal. position, substantially as described.

2. In a handle, the combination of a shank having an open slot formed in its upper end, handle-pieces on each side of the same and having open slots formed in their lower ends, a brace-plate projecting through the slot in the shank and the slots in the handlepieces,

and a grip-piece between the outer ends of said handle-pieces, substantially as described.

3. In ahandle the combination with a shank of handle-pieces attached thereto and having the inner faces of their upper free ends curved laterally and concaved vertically, and a handgrip having its ends cut to fit said curved and concaved portions of the handle-pieces and secured to the same by a bolt, or rivet, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afliX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

XVILLIAM HOLMAN JOHNSON. Vitnesses:

DANIEL F. LEMMON, A. F. JOHNSON. 

